Businesses and the Environment
Organisations are under more pressure than ever to improve their environmental performance. Climate change is in the spotlight and consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental consequences of their purchases.
This puts pressure on businesses to not just protect the environment, but also to improve their environmental performance. This demand can be addressed by the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management, ISO 14001.
What is ISO 14001?
ISO certification exists to ensure good health and safety, eco-friendly practices and more. ISO stands for the International Organisation for Standardisation, and they are a non-governmental, independent body who publishes the standards.
Standards give customers and other stakeholders confidence as in order to obtain certification, organisations are audited by a third-party external assessor.
ISO 14001 is the recognised standard for Environmental Management and specifies requirements for an Environmental Management System. It is used by businesses globally to improve their environmental performance and demonstrate their commitment to the environment. The standard can apply to any business, regardless of its size, sector, or activities.
Recycling and Waste Management
One way ISO 14001 helps with a company’s environmental performance is through the promotion of recycling. Let’s say you are an organisation with over 200 employees – imagine the amount of waste there is every single day. Now, how much of this gets appropriately recycled?
There are certain rules for the disposal of waste for businesses, so it’s crucial you are aware of these to avoid any fines or breaches of legislation. For example, waste must be stored in a secure place, covers should be used where necessary to stop waste from blowing away, and you must check if your waste carrier is registered to dispose of waste.
Reduced Energy Consumption
By having ISO 14001, your organisation will have an environmental policy. This will be available for employees to read and will likely encourage staff to find better ways for your business to reduce its negative impact on the environment.
There are many ways your company can reduce energy consumption. For example, by switching off all equipment when not in use, such as printers, scanners, microwaves, lights, and air conditioners. If possible, you may also want to introduce remote or flexible working, as this can help to reduce energy consumption too.
What are the Benefits?
There are many benefits of being certified to ISO 14001. Some of the main ones include:
- Legal compliance with environmental legislation and regulations
- Win new business and retain existing customers
- Reduce waste and improve your environmental performance
- Qualify for tenders and contracts
- Gain a competitive advantage
- Reduced costs of running your business
Become ISO Certified
If you want to reduce waste in your company and become more eco-friendly, then ISO 14001 is a must.